AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES NEW STUDENT LOAN OMBUDSMAN, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP BORROWERS

 AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES NEW STUDENT LOAN OMBUDSMAN, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP BORROWERS

Ombudsman Established by State’s Newly Enacted “Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights;” Position Strengthens Ongoing Work by AG’s Office to Address Student Debt Crisis

            BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today announced the appointment of a new Student Loan Ombudsman, building off of her office’s nation-leading work on the frontlines of the student debt crisis and providing more resources for struggling borrowers to get the help they need.

            The Ombudsman – established by the state’s economic development legislation that was signed into law in January and codifies the “Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights” – will be responsible for resolving student complaints, educating borrowers, monitoring student loan servicers, and submitting annual reports on borrower complaints and trends. This new position will compliment and strengthen the work of AG Healey’s Student Loan Assistance Unit, which was created in 2015 to help borrowers with their loans, explore repayment options, prevent wage garnishments and tax refund interceptions, secure debt relief, and identify “debt relief” scams, among other actions.

“My office is on the frontlines of this $1.7 trillion crisis, fighting on behalf of student borrowers in Massachusetts, and taking on a student loan system that is fundamentally broken and devastating to countless Americans,” AG Healey said. “The establishment of this Ombudsman position will be critical in our ongoing work to help students and families invest in their future and get the relief they deserve. I want to thank Senator Lesser and Representative Higgins for their bold leadership in getting these borrower protections in place and look forward to their partnership, along with the student loan advocacy community, in promoting these resources.”

The “Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights,” sponsored by State Senator Eric Lesser and Representative Natalie Higgins, also gives the Division of Banks new regulatory authority and requires certain types of servicers to obtain licenses from the Division.

            “Earlier this year, we celebrated a big moment when the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights became law. Its passage was a result of over six years of advocacy and determination by supporters across the Commonwealth who made calls, spoke up, and cheered Rep. Higgins and I on to push this across the finish line,” said Senator Eric P. Lesser, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “Nearly a million people within Massachusetts collectively owe over $40 billion in student loans, and until now have not benefited from adequate state-level consumer protections on one of the biggest financial investments in their lives. I am looking forward to working with Attorney General Healey and the Student Loan Ombudsman’s office in implementing a strong support system to protect student loan borrowers across Massachusetts from these harmful practices.”

“After more than six years of advocacy, I am thankful that Massachusetts will have a Student Loan Ombudsman in the Attorney General’s Office,” said Representative Natalie M. Higgins, House Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Service. “The COVID-19 student loan relief measures are scheduled to end September 30, and with more than one million student loan borrowers in Massachusetts, it is vital they understand their rights and can turn to the Ombudsman’s office for support if they face challenges with their repayment plans.”

“With a regulatory framework in place to ensure servicers are in compliance with the rules, and student borrowers are protected, the Division of Banks is fully prepared to begin accepting and processing license applications from student loan servicers doing business in the Commonwealth,” said Division of Banks Commissioner Mary L. Gallagher. “The Division is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Student Loan Ombudsman in furtherance of consumer protections.”

            Serving as the state’s new Student Loan Ombudsman is Arwen Thoman, Deputy Director of AG Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division (IFSD). Erica Harmon, IFSD’s Program Analyst, will serve as Deputy Student Loan Ombudsman. Both Thoman and Harmon have extensive experience helping student loan borrowers through their management of the AG’s Student Loan Assistance Unit.

 As part of the new Ombudsman’s role, the AG’s Student Loan Assistance Unit will also promote borrower educational materials and inform public employees about the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) and Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (TEPSLF). In February, AG Healey secured first-of-its-kind relief in a settlement with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), d/b/a FedLoan Servicing, following a lawsuit alleging that the servicer made errors and provided misinformation to borrowers about PSLF eligibility requirements, causing borrowers to lose months of qualifying payments towards loan forgiveness. The settlement provides an opportunity for tens of thousands of Massachusetts borrowers, including public servants and teachers, whose federal loans are serviced by PHEAA to submit a claim and secure a detailed account review.

 In addition, the Student Loan Ombudsman will create opportunities for collaboration with the growing number of state-level student loan ombudspersons, serve as a platform for advocating for regulatory reforms and policy changes with the Biden Administration and with loan servicers, and will help amplify the voices of student loan borrowers. 

 Since its creation in 2015, the AG’s Student Loan Assistance Unit has taken many actions to help student loan borrowers relating to income-driven repayment enrollment, default resolution, disability discharge, borrower defense, school closure, policy advocacy, and settlement implementations. Each year, the unit typically receives nearly 1,000 written help requests and over 2,000 hotline calls and generates savings and refunds of $1.5 million for borrowers. 

 To assist the work of the Ombudsman, a new Student Loan Help Request form has been made available online to better assist borrowers with their needs and loan issues. Massachusetts students who are looking for help or information can also call the AG’s Student Loan Assistance Helpline at 1-888-830-6277.

第30屆全美青少年國畫書法比賽 48件作品獲獎

右起，中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵邀朱蓉，林浩宗，
陸惠風，方正厚，杜瑋等人擔任評委。(主辦單位提供)

             (Boston Orange) 中華表演藝術基金會第30 屆全美青少年國畫書法比賽於6月26日經4名評委審閱後，由82件參賽作品中選出48件作品，頒給金銀銅獎及佳作獎，將於8月30日左右上傳網站，供各界欣賞。明年賽事預定4月15日舉行。

              中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵表示，受新冠病毒(COVID-19)疫情影響，許多學校及書畫工作室都關閉了，或是改為在線教學，今年參賽總人數僅約往年的三分之一，共有來自加州、康州、喬治亞州、麻州、南卡羅 來納州，田納西州，德州，及華盛頓州等 8 州，15 所中文學校、書畫學苑及個別人士，送出國畫 61 件，書法 21 件等作品參賽。

中華表演藝術基金會會長譚嘉陵(左二)請學生義工協助計分。
(主辦單位提供)

              其中9歲及9歲以下的國畫甲組，參賽人數減少的尤其多，但書法倒是增加了，有多幅對聯，以及4至10聯屏幅。。

              6月26日，在20多名義工協助下，這些參賽作品貼滿在牛頓市僑教中心的大廳四週、前廳及前後走廊等地牆上。朱蓉、杜瑋、林浩宗、方正厚 4 位評委等仔細審看了二個小時，才評出結果。評委中曾在哈佛大學擔任歷史教授的陸惠風，當天抵達評審現場後，突然身體不適，提前離場。

譚嘉陵解釋，評委們審閱得很用心，告訴她可從一撇一捺看出參賽者
是否用心。(周菊子攝)

              譚嘉陵表示，全美青少年國畫書法比賽是為鼓勵青少年學習，發揚中國的國畫、書法等傳統文化，在「譚嶽泉、蕭運貞文教紀念基金」，以及各界熱心人士的捐款贊助中舉辦30年以來，已成為許多學校及書畫工作室的固定大型活動，許多學校還先自行在校內先辦初賽，再選送優勝作品參加這一比賽，十分慎重。中華表演基金會也為此特地每年都公佈入圍名單，以期鼓勵更多青年學子學習、發揚這中華傳統文化。

              48 幅得獎作品經裝裱後，將在 8 月 30 日前後放上網頁 www.ChinesePerformingArts.net，供各界欣賞。明年比賽的截止收件日期，預定仍是 4 月 15 日，希望各界踴躍參加。查詢請冾譚嘉陵，電子郵件: Foundation@ChinesePerformingArts.net。

 

參賽作品掛在僑教中心牆上。(周菊子攝)

國畫組的得獎作品之一。(周菊子攝)

得獎名單如下:

I: 國畫A組，9及9歲以下，共15件作品

Brush Painting Group A (age 9 and under, total 15 entries)

金獎

Gold Medal 1, Siena Zhao 趙妡悅, age 8, Brookline Chinese School, MA 麻州布魯克萊恩中文學校 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Silver, but will not be awarded in duplicate.) 12, Jewei Wang 王若竹, age 9, Brookline Chinese School, MA 麻州布魯克萊恩中文學校 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Bronze, but will not be awarded in duplicate.)

銀獎

Silver Medal 3, Elizabeth Xuan 𧝁悅, age 9, Brookline Chinese School, MA 麻州布魯克萊恩中文學校 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Bronze, but will not be awarded in duplicate.) 4, Amanda Zhang 張文蘭, age 9, Brookline Chinese School, MA 麻州布魯克萊恩中文學校 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Honor, but will not be awarded in duplicate.)

銅獎

Bronze Medal 5, Edward Zhang 張文德, age 7, Brookline Chinese School, MA 麻州布魯克萊恩中文學校 (His second piece of painting was also chosen as Honor, but will not be awarded in duplicate.)

佳作

Honor 6, Jayden Cheung 張維峰, age 7, Brookline Chinese School, MA 麻州布魯克萊恩中文學校 (His second piece of painting was also chosen as Honor, but will not be awarded in duplicate.)

 

II. 國畫B組，10-13歲，共25件作品

II. Brush Painting Group B (age 10 to 13, total 25 entries)

金獎

Gold Medal 7, Benson Chen 陳柏志, age 13, GIPAC Academy, MA 麻州 (His second piece of painting was also chosen as Gold, but will not be awarded in duplicate.) 8, Joanna Li 李兢紅, age 10, Silicon Valley Art School, CA 加州硅谷藝術學校

銀獎

Silver Medal 9, Olivia Li 李彤, age 11, East Point Academy Wang's Art Studio, SC 南卡羅來納州 東點小學王氏藝術工 作室 10, Jiali Yang 楊佳俐, age 13, Hamden Hall Country Day School, CT 康州 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Bronze, but will not be awarded in duplicate.)

銅獎

Bronze Medal 11, Kaleigh Lee 李悅, age 11, Joshua Chadbourne Elementary School, CA 加州 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Finalist.) 12, Wun Yoh Loc 陸溫柔, age 13, GIPAC Academy, MA 麻州 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Honor, but will not be awarded in duplicate.) 13, Jessica Chen 陳心玲, age 11, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院

佳作

Honor 14, Lina Du 杜麗娜, age 12, GIPAC Academy, MA 麻州 15, Jessi Lu 盧隽卿, age 13, Newton Chinese Language School, MA 麻州牛頓中文學校 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Finalist.) 16, Camellia Wang 王馨茗, age 11, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院

入圍

Finalist Lili Schow 利利, age 11, GIPAC Academy, MA 麻州 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Finalist.) Emily He 何星頴, age 13, Brookline Chinese School, MA 麻州布魯克萊恩中文學校 Audrey Chen 陳明慧, age 12, Newton Chinese Language School, MA 麻州牛頓中文學校

 

國畫C組，14-17歲，共19件作品參賽

III. Brush Painting Group C (age 14 to 17, total 19 entries, including panels: 20)

金獎

Gold Medal 17, Lina Li 李競玲, age 17, Silicon Valley Art School, CA 加州硅谷藝術學校 18, Chloe Lou 盧樂兒, age 14, Silicon Valley Art School, CA 加州硅谷藝術學校 (2-panel 條幅/ 一套 2 張) 19, Audrey Wang 王凱霓, age 15, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院

銀獎

Silver Medal 20, Amanda Pang 龐依萌, age 17, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 21, Annabelle Chen 陳逸涵, age 15, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 22, Kyle Lou 盧仲樂, age 17, Silicon Valley Art School, CA 加州硅谷藝術學校

銅獎

Bronze Medal 23, Lucy Yue 樂露茜, age 17, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 24, Tiffany Lee 李佳玲, age 17, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 25, Coranne Juang 莊可瑞, age 17, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 26, Alice Wang 王彥方, age 17, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院

佳作

Honor 27, Frank Hao 郝劍奇, age 17, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院

入圍

Finalist Alice Xiao 肖若繽, age 14, GIPAC Academy, MA 麻州 Sissi Chen 陳琢葭. Age 14, River Trail Middle School Lou Art Studio, GA 喬治亞州 (Her second piece of painting was also chosen as Finalist.)

 

國畫D組，18-22歲，2件作品參賽

 IV: Brush Painting Group D, age 18-22, total 2 entries

金獎

Gold Medal 28, Kevin Yang 楊凱文, age 18, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 329, Alice Zhirui Zhu 朱芝𥈠, age 18, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院

書法S組，9及9歲以下，共4件作品

V: Calligraphy Group S (age 9 and under, total 4 entries, including panels: 7)

金獎

Gold Medal 30, Sharon Lin 林佳臻, age 9, Palo Alto Chinese School, CA 加州柏拉阿圖中文學校 (4-panel

條幅/ 一套 4 張) 31, Adrien Wang 王祖暘, age 9, Palo Alto Chinese School, CA 加州柏拉阿圖中文學校

佳作

Honor 32, Jewei Wang 王若竹, age 9, Brookline Chinese School, MA 麻州布魯克萊恩中文學校 Finalist Michelle Kwan 関雯伊, age 6, Bai-Du Studi, CA 加州百度書屋

 

書法T組，10-13歲，共5件作品

VI: Calligraphy Group T (age 10 to 13, total 5 entries, including panels 17)

金獎

Gold Medal 33, Lydia Wang 王祖晴, age 12, Palo Alto Chinese School, CA 加州柏拉阿圖中文學校 (4-panel 條幅/ 一套 4 張) 34, Dennis Zicong Xiao 蕭梓聰, age 13, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 (4-panel 條幅/ 一套 4 張)

銀獎

Silver Medal 35, Shinher Jiang 蔣新禾, age 11, Palo Alto Chinese School, CA 加州柏拉阿圖中文學校 (4-panel 條幅/ 一套 4 張)

銅獎

Bronze Medal 36, Xinyi Zeng 曾馨儀, age 12, Eastside Preparatory School, WA 華盛頓州

佳作

Honor 37, Sophia Yang 楊湘穎, age 12, Palo Alto Chinese School, CA 加州柏拉阿圖中文學校

 

書法U組，14-17歲，共10件作品

VII: Calligraphy Group U (age 14 to 17, total 10 entries, including panels 51)

金獎

Gold Medal 38, Emma Wang 王佑文, age 17, Bai-Du Studio, CA 加州百度書屋 (4-panel 條幅/ 一套 4 張） 39, Kaden Chen 陳萬盛, age 15, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院 (10-panel 條幅/ 一套 10 張） 40, Audrey Bai 白明昀, age 14, Renaissance Chinese Calligraphy Academy, CA 加州 汲古書苑 (10-panel 條幅/ 一套 10 張）

銀獎

Silver Medal 41, Jessica Tang 唐緁希, age 16, TX Harmony Calligraphy Studio 德州 德安書苑 4(Her second piece of calligraphy was also chosen as Finalist) 42, Tianhong Xie 謝天泓, age 16, Semiahmoo Secondary, TN 田納西州 (4-panel 條幅/ 一套 4 張)

銅獎

Bronze Medal 43, Audrey Wang 王雅宣, age 15, Bai-Du Studio, CA 加州百度書屋 (7-panel 條幅/ 一套 7 張） 44, Nathan Tang 唐國瑞, age 15, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院

佳作

Honor 45, Harmony Trinh 鄭佳恩, age 17, Bai-Du Studio, CA 加州百度書屋 (7-panel 條幅/ 一套 7 張） 46, Vincent Kwan 関明宇, age 14, Bai-Du Studio, CA 加州百度書屋 (6-panel 條幅/ 一套 6 張)

 

書法V組，18-22歲，共2件作品

VIII. Calligraphy Group V (age 18 to 22, total 2 entries, including panels 6)

金獎

Gold Medal 47, Melody Trinh 鄭詠恩, age 18, Bai-Du Studio, CA 加州百度書屋 (5-panel 條幅/ 一套 5 張）

銀獎

Silver Medal 48, Jiawen Ge 葛佳文, age 18, Ichen Art Academy, CA 加州宜真美術學院

 

Panel of Judges 2021 (Jury date: June 26, 2021): Dr. Doris Chu 朱蓉: Art critics and juror of professional art competitions Prof. Wai-Fong Loh 陸惠風: Former professor of Chinese History at Harvard University. Poet, writer, and arts collector Mr. Ho-Chung Lam 林浩宗: Professional Chinese brush painter and calligrapher Mr. Zhenghou Fang 方正厚: Professional Chinese calligrapher Dr. Wei Du 杜瑋: Calligrapher and arts collector

波士頓多徹斯特新耆英住宅啟用 54個單位

MAYOR JANEY CELEBRATES THE GRAND OPENING OF NEW HOUSING FOR OLDER ADULTS IN DORCHESTER AT HEARTH AT FOUR CORNERS  The new building created 54 units of supportive, affordable housing with green efficiencies and on-site services    BOSTON - Wednesday, June 30, 2021- Today, Mayor Kim Janey, the State of Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Michael Kennealy, Hearth President and CEO Mark Hinderlie, D.F. Pray President Scott Pray, the Hearth Board of Directors and local elected officials joined Hearth at Four Corners residents to celebrate the grand opening of Hearth at Four Corners. The more than $19 million housing development created 54 new units of supportive, affordable housing for older adults, and is located on a previously vacant city-owned lot at 16 Ronald Street in Dorchester. Today’s announcement demonstrates the City of Boston’s commitment to creating more equitable affordable housing for older residents.   “As a city, we measure our success by how we serve all of our people. I'm proud that together with our partners, we've created these affordable and beautiful new homes for older Boston residents, offering a place that they are proud to call home,” said Mayor Janey. “These new homes are an example of our commitment to preserving and growing our affordable housing options in our city. I want to thank all partners involved for making Hearth at Four Corners possible, which will make a positive difference in the lives of the residents and the Dorchester neighborhood.”  Hearth at Four Corners created 54 affordable apartments for older Boston residents, creating 52 one-bedroom units and two studio apartments. All residents living in the new 48,867 square foot building have access to on-site concierge services and a Resident Service Coordinator. They also have onsite wellness services. The new housing development serves individuals age 62 or older who have a range of incomes, including eight units for formerly homeless individuals, 11 units for clients of the Department of Mental Health, 19 units for those with incomes up to 30% of the area median income (AMI) ($26,850 for an individual), 18 units for incomes up to 50% of AMI ($44,800 for an individual), and 17 units for those incomes up to 60% of AMI ($53,760 for an individual).  “We are so glad to be able to work with all of our partners to create beautiful, affordable housing for older Bostonians,” said Jessica Boatright, Deputy Director of the Neighborhood Housing Division for the Department of Neighborhood Development. “We know how important it is to create housing for our aging residents to ensure that they are able to continue to live in the City that they have helped to build and call their home. Hearth at Four Corners is a wonderful addition for older Bostonians and for the neighborhood.”    “When you’re in a shelter or on the streets, you’re just surviving. You’re only thinking about your next meal and where you’re going to sleep,” said Hearth at Four Corners resident Juanita. “When I moved into my apartment, I couldn’t believe how much stuff was already there. Hearth provided me with a bed, new sheets, couch, everything for my kitchen and bathroom. It’s like they knew the toll surviving takes on a person, and they were going to help me live, again. All these years all I wanted was housing, but Hearth found me a home. I want to thank Mayor Janey, everyone from the city, the shelters and especially at Hearth for not giving up on people like me and helping me make this dream come true. I finally have a home!”  Hearth at Four Corners construction used the highest standards of universal design throughout the new building to accommodate older adults of all abilities. The building meets LEED Silver, Energy Star, and Enterprise Green Community standards.  “Every day at the Age Strong Commission, we hear from older Bostonians facing homelessness and struggling with housing issues,” said Commissioner Shea. “I am proud of this partnership for what it’s going to mean to so many older adults, providing not only a place to sleep, but a home and a community where they can live and thrive. Now more than ever, we need to come together to empower older adults and build supportive communities like this one.”  Financing for the project includes support from the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and State, Federal low-income housing tax credits, MassDevelopment, Citizens, and Eastern Bank. Philanthropic support was provided by Charles H. Farnsworth Trust, Charlesbank Homes, and individual donors.  “Hearth at Four Corners represents a new phase of Hearth’s meeting its mission of ending homelessness among older adults, developed after 30 years of local and national leadership in addressing this often-overlooked population,” stated Mark Hinderlie, CEO of the developer, Hearth, Inc. “Hearth’s previous 174 units were built or developed specifically for formerly homeless older adults or those at imminent risk of homelessness. Four Corners incorporates a new focus on preventing homelessness by providing opportunities for those with very low to moderately low incomes to afford to remain safely housed in a beautiful, affordable home.”  The new building is located on the former Ronald Gibson School site, near the MBTA Fairmount line. The construction of the new building was done by Hearth’s contractor D.F. Pray, and the new development received support from the community, the Erie Ellington Brinsley Neighborhood Association. D.F. Pray also adheres to the City of Boston’s Residents Jobs Policy on construction projects, with Hearth at Four Corners exceeding the City’s target of 40% by hiring 65.3% minority contractors.    In the past five years, 424 units for older residents have either been completed or are currently in construction, 93 percent of which are income-restricted units. Also, the City has seven more developments in the pipeline that will create 374 more units for older residents.   The construction of Hearth at Four Corners strongly aligns with the City of Boston’s housing goals to produce affordable housing for older Bostonians, as outlined in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. Through Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030, the City’s housing plan, the City set a target of creating 2,000 low-income elderly units by 2030. Along with Hearth at Four Corners is Grace Apartments in East Boston, The Barton Rogers School in Hyde Park, and several other projects, the City has permitted or constructed 627 new low-income units for older residents.